Display device with interchangeable characters



Jan. 6, 1953 s. KAlL DISPLAY DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CHARACTERSFiled March 19, 1949 INVENTOR. SIMON KAIL.

AY'TORNEYS- Patented Jan. 6, 1953 DISPLAY DEVICEIWITH INTERCHANGEABLE'cHAnAcTERs 1 Simon Kail, East Cleveland, Ohio Application Mar-ch 19,1949, Serial No. 82,369

, 1 claim. (01. [40-140) This invention relates broadly todisplay'devices for the support of interchangeable characters, and isparticularly useful as a holderafor house numbers mounted on or adjacentto residential buildings or other structures.

The principal objects of the invention reside in the simplification ofthe assembly of selected characters upon the display device, theprovision of a sturdy and effective supporting mechanism for thecharacters at any desired spacing, and the provision of a structurewhich will enhance the visibility of the characters. These objects areaccomplished by mounting the characters on an elongated channel carriedby the display background plate and arranging the channel so that thecharacters may be moved in aligned relation thereover and clamped in anyposition thereon. The channel is arranged so that the letters aresupported in a plane parallel to the display surface, but are suitablyspaced therefrom to stand out conspicuously and produce the effect ofhanging in mid-air, particularly when the device is subjected toartificial illumination. This separation of the letters from thebackplate, together with the shadows cast thereby, sharpens thedefinition of the digits and greatly increases the range of visibilitythereof.

Another object resides in the provision of a number of like parts andsub-assemblies which are fabricated for interchangeable assembly so thatvarious displays may be produced by the requisite grouping of such partsas satisfy the needs of the purchaser. To this end the assembly embodiesthe mounting plate, a selection of numbers or characters which areformed for attachment thereon, one or more ground stakes machined forattachment to the plate, or in lieu thereof a bracket which isfabricated for attachment to the plate and post or other buildingstructure, or a chain or chains for the suspension of the plateassembly, and a decorative ornament in silhouette machined forsecurement upon a marginal edge of the plate.

The manner in which these and other objects and advantages may beattained will be apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an assembled display device arranged formounting in the ground;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the charactermounting structure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mounting structurehaving parts thereof cut away; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the section taken through thecharacter-mounting means.

As seen best in Fig. 1, a complete display device may comprise abackground 'or mounting plate P, stake members S for piercing the groundto support the assembly, a plurality of interchangeable characters C,and an ornamental figure F. The plate member P is formed of any suitablematerial having the requisite mechanical characteristics, such as sheetmetal, cast aluminum, brass or iron, or any of the so-called plasticmaterials.

The supporting plate P is provided with a channel H] which constitutes aclamping strip for the characters C. The channel is disposed in themajor axis of the plate and extends throughout the length thereof. Inthe preferred embodiment, the channel [I] comprises a web H, side wallsl2, and a pair of inturned spaced flanges I3 whose outer surfaces lie ina plane parallel to the web ll. Rivets M or similar securing means maybe employed for the attachment of the channel to the plate P. Ifdesired, the channel ill may be cast integral with the supporting plateP.

The characters C are secured to the channel by fiat head machine screwsl5 seated flush with the face of the characters and by square nuts itformed for snug Sliding engagement between the side Walls [2 of thechannel. With this arrangement, the numbers, letters, or othercharacters may be positioned at will along the channel I!) and thescrews l5 then tightened to draw the nuts into clamped engagement withthe rearward face of the flanges I3.

The ornamental figure F is preferably formed with a base strip l8 whichis drilled for the reception of bolts l9 seated in the plate P. Thestake members S may likewise be secured to the plate by bolts 20, andare formed with sharpened ends 2| to accommodate the ready installationof the holder. The opening 22 in the sides of the plate may alternatelybe employed to facilitate the suspension of the assembly by chains orthe attachment thereof to a bracket, post, or other vertical support.

Not only does the letter mounting structure, as shown, greatlyfacilitate the assembly and clamped support of the characters, but alsosets the letters above the surface of the plate and throws them intobold relief so they will be clearly visible at a distance. Under poorconditions of illumination visibility may be assisted by coating theouter surfaces of the characters 7 C with luminous paint and by paintingthe plate P and its appurtenance with a dark contrasting color.

With the arrangement shown the vendor may stock an assortment or kit ofvarious parts of the assembly, including the various ornamental figures,sets of numerals or other characters, brackets, stakes, and so forth,and thus enable the purchaser to compose the combination suited to histaste and needs.

Although the foregoing description is necessarilylof a detai fidcharacter. in order-that the invention ,may be completely set ,forth, itwis itO be understood that the specific terminology is not intended tobe restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements or partsand modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

A display device for interchangeable *characters comprising a backgroundplate for -,the characters, an elongated open-ended slotted tubularsupport of rectangular cross section attached to the front of the plate,a plurality of interchangeable characters of a color contrasting withthe color of said plate in abutting relationship with '4 the slottedwall of said support and spaced a substantial distance from said plate,and screw means extending through said characters with non-circular nutmeans threaded to said screw means at the rear surface of saidcharacters, said screw means extending through the slot in the support,said support providing shoulder means for engaging said non-circular nutmeans (:9 prevent rotation of thev -latter.

SIMON KAIL.

'lflle or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Number Name Date 1,587,966 Le Feure June 8, 19261,649,249 Newman Nov. 15, 1927 1,668,805 Findlater May 8, 1928 1,892,998Overholtz Jan. 3, 1933 "2,345,650 Attwood Apr. 4, 1944 2,501,474 MartinMar. 21, 1950 12,520,648 Newman Aug. '29, 1950

